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Sunday, June 27, 2021

Queen Latifah Delivers Emotional Speech for Lifetime Achievement Award at 2021 BET Awards

Queen Latifah got emotional while giving the acceptance speech for her Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 BET Awards on June 27.

Queen Latifah got emotional while reflecting on her career highlights during the 2021 BET Awards.

The 51-year-old The Equalizer star took the stage on Sunday, June 27 to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony that was hosted by Taraji P. Henson. In her speech, the “U.N.I.T.Y.” vocalist expressed her gratitude for everyone who helped make her success possible.

“I’m so extremely moved, I don’t even know what to say,” she shared. “My siblings, my best friends—who ride or die with me. Whether my face is on the dirt or flying in the sky, they know me and they are there for me.”

The Living Single alum thanked the BET network for helping “beautiful Blackness” to thrive over the years.

“When we couldn’t get played on the radio and other places, we couldn’t get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness, and to shine to this night right now, right here,” the star expressed.

Taraji P. Henson, 2021 BET Awards, red carpet fashion

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BET Awards 2021 Red Carpet Fashion

The evening was themed to celebrate the year of the Black woman, and Queen Latifah’s remarks spoke to the importance of that emphasis.

Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

“I’ve always celebrated the woman because I was raised by a strong Black woman, raised by a father who loves women,” she explained. “We can’t live without each other. I wanted to celebrate us because I know, together, we stand stronger, than when we tear each other apart. I’ve seen enough of that. So respect to all the females on the stage tonight.”

She went on to thank her fans “for supporting every crazy thing I’ve done through the years.” Queen Latifah finished off her speech with, “Peace and happy Pride.”

Click here for our full coverage of the star-studded awards ceremony.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Queen Elizabeth II Hosts President Joe Biden and Jill Biden at Windsor Castle

Just weeks after Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet, the royal matriarch hosted President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at Windsor Castle.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden had quite the royal engagement this week.

On Sunday, June 13, the couple met with Queen Elizabeth II in her home at Windsor Castle. The Queen, who recently lost her husband, Prince Philip, and celebrated the arrival of her great granddaughter Lilibet from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, wore a pink floral dress and matching hat to greet the couple. Jill wore a powder blue suit, while the POTUS sported a dark suit with a blue necktie.

Prior to the meeting, Jill told reporters, “Joe and I are both looking forward to meeting the Queen. That’s an exciting part of the visit for us. We’ve looked forward to this for weeks and now it’s finally here. It’s a beautiful beginning.”

This marks the first time that the Queen, 95, has had a private meeting with a political leader since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. However, it was not the first time she was in the presence of the current first family. Earlier this week, she met the Bidens at the G7 Summit in Cornwall, England, alongside a slew of other world leaders. Also in attendance at the event was her son Prince Charles‘ wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and grandson Prince William‘s wife Kate Middleton.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Royals at 2021 G7 Summit

However, perhaps the most curious part of that meeting was the fact that the Queen, who is the subject of the fictionalized Netflix series The Crown, adorably attempted to use a sword to cut into the event’s cake.

Queen Elizabeth II, US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden

Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Joe is not the only sitting POTUS the queen has met with. She has previously met with 12 presidents since World War II, with Joe as the 13th.

In 2019, she met with then President Donald Trump, and his wife Melania Trump, at Buckingham Palace during his state visit. During their meeting, the Queen gifted the former Celebrity Apprentice host a Duofold pen set as well as a first edition of The Second World War by Winston Churchill.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama also visited during their terms.

Saturday, June 12, 2021

See Queen Elizabeth II Happily Wield a Sword to Cut Cake at G7 Summit Event

Queen Elizabeth II showcased a smile as she adorably tried to use a sword to cut a cake at a G7 Summit, where she was joined by royal family and world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden.

Now there’s a warrior queen.

Looking positively gleeful, Queen Elizabeth II, 95, wielded a curved sword to cut a sheet cake on Friday, June 11, at an event for the G7 Summit in Cornwall, England, that was attended by other royals as well as world leaders such as President Joe Biden.

Standing beside her son Prince Charles‘ wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and grandson Prince William‘s wife Kate Middleton at a luncheon at the Eden Project, the monarch slowly lifted the weapon, upside down, onto the dessert after borrowing it from the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Edward Bolitho, a royal representative for the queen.

An unidentified woman then gently told her that there was a knife nearby that she could use to cut the cake instead. The queen said dismissively, “I know there is,” which drew good-natured laughter from spectators. As she attempted to slice into the dessert, the monarch then deadpanned, “This is something more unusual,” spurring Kate to let out a quiet laugh.

Meghan Markle, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor

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Meet Queen Elizabeth II’s Great-Grandchildren

Seeing her struggle, Camilla attempted to help her mother-in-law as the banter continued, drawing applause. The queen soon accepted a regular knife and was able to cut the cake more easily, later commenting, “That looks very good.”

The queen appeared to be great spirits all day, showcasing huge smiles as she met guests, including Biden and wife Dr. Jill Biden, at the drinks reception at the venue later in the day. It marked her second public event since attending her husband Prince Philip‘s funeral in April and her first time meeting Biden as U.S. President. He is the 13th leader of the United States that she has greeted during her record-breaking 69-year reign, according to Reuters.

The three-day summit brings together Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations, which include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and France, as well as reps from a few other countries, to discuss issues such as coronavirus vaccines, economic recovery and climate change. The Eden Project is a group of bio-domes that create a rainforest environment.

Also on Friday, the queen and the world leaders took official photos together. “Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourselves?” she asked them, provoking laughter, according to Reuters.

“Yes,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson replied. “We have been enjoying ourselves in spite of appearances.”

The queen is due to meet the Bidens again on Sunday, June 13, for lunch at Windsor Castle to cap off the G7 Summit.

On Saturday, June 12, the queen was busy at a different event at the castle, her current home. It was one thrown in her honor. She attended a scaled-down and socially distanced annual Trooping the Colour military parade, her annual belated birthday celebration. It typically features many members of her extended family but this time, she was only accompanied by her cousin Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent. Last year’s event was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

See photos of the queen with other royals and world leaders at the G7 summit event on Friday below: